Emily Breaks Down in 'Bachelorette' Season Finale

Published
7:09 PM PDT, July 22, 2012

ABC

Emily Maynard made her final decision on the season finale of ABC's The Bachelorette on Sunday, and it was a choice that went down to the wire.

At the beginning of the show, Emily admitted that she still didn't know which of the remaining suitors she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Her dilemma was a matter of irreconcilable goods as she claimed to have fallen in love with both Arie and Jef.

Jef met with the Maynards first, having the difficult challenge of being a metaphorical palate cleaner for the family, who still had a bad taste in their mouth from Emily's failed engagement with Brad.

Emily's brother Ernie seemed to be the most offended by how things ended with Brad, but he completely endorsed Jef after their one-on-one. Ernie felt sure that Jef's intentions were pure, and claimed that he would be proud to call him his brother-in-law.

Emily's dad Dave gave the ultimate seal of approval when he gave Jef his blessing, which gave Arie a tough act to follow.

"I'm not sure why we're even going through the action of seeing another guy today," said Dave.

Perhaps sensing that the family had already made up their mind, Arie began his meeting sputtering through mundane chit chat until he realized that he was "talking too much" out of nervousness. The tone quickly changed when he broke the ice by presenting a gift -- a box carrying all the roses he had received from Emily thus far. This touched Emily's mom Suzy and the gentlemen swiftly followed suit.

"I'm confused," said Ernie, who -- like Emily -- was torn between the two guys.

Since her parents, brother and sister-in-law couldn't help her with the decision, Emily turned to her six-year-old daughter Ricki.

Once again, Jef used his charm to build an instant rapport with the little one, cementing himself as Emily's first choice.

Arie's last date with Emily ended abruptly when Emily tearfully broke the news to him that she decided to choose Jef.

"Thank you for sparing me the embarrassment tomorrow," said Arie, who spilled his heart out in the car ride interview, saying, "I still believe that she's the love of my life. That's what's so painful."

The show ended on a high note, as Emily accepted Jef's marriage proposal and Neil Lane engagement ring!